Here is a 1930s Globe Aero Flite steel coaster wagon byBiltwell, USA. Produced c1935 to 1940 this art deco, streamlined wagon featuresworking electric headlights and a tiller set-up for steering. Designed to haveauto-like features, the Aero Flite sports a \"hood ornament\", embossedpinstriped \"grill\" whiskers, hubcaps, and of course workingheadlights like a real car! (The switch is on the dome that holds the handle with batteries and wires hidden on the underside.) Dig the \"Globe\" embossed headlightlenses!
Made of heavy, auto-gauge pressed steel it measures 46\"long, 20\" wide, and 13\" tall. Complete examples with headlights andhood ornament are extremely rare as those elements are exposed in front and arethe first to get damaged in impact. Even on completely original paint examplesthese items are often damaged or missing altogether. Aero-Flite wagons are veryscarce as many were melted down for the war effort, and others returnedto the elements.
I rented this and other items to a feature film productioncompany, (I cannot name them here but they are one of the biggest, oldest andbest known in Hollywood), for an upcoming big-budget film with some majorstars, (think blockbuster). I cannot reveal the name of the project as it isstill in production, but I will reveal privately to the winning buyer.
There are two photos showing it as I acquired it, with surface corrosion all over, and no lights, etc. After renting it,the art director called to ask if he could \"alter\" the wagon, and Iagreed - the way you see it now is how it was returned to me!
The art department refinished it in blue with a beautifulpatina, and not only completed it with the correct, original headlights andhood ornament but they sourced an original switch and made the headlights work! The hood ornament is plastic while I believe the original would have been metal, but the headlight buckets are all metal. They even gave me a set of the correct hubcaps they got for it but ended up notusing; they are shiny chrome. I am including all four hubcaps in this sale aswell, photo will be added shortly.
I was told the film company spent appox. 30 hours on the restoration (or\"rustoration\" as the art director put it), not to mention sourcingthe correct parts... truly Hollywood movie magic at work here! Combined with myoriginal purchase price there is likely about $3,000. spent on this wagon!
What the studio accomplished can truly be considered art. It is very difficult to achieve this kind of result without experienced talent on the other end of the brush. It looks even better in person than it does in my photos, much more realistic.
The Globe Aero Flite wagon is one of the top-of-the-line artdeco wagons of the 1930s. They are extremely hard to find in any condition, butthis is the only one you will ever see completed and restored in this way byone of the most famous major motion picture studios! This wagon will likelybe quite famous in a year or two when the film is released - be the one person who will ownthis truly unique, beautiful movie prop!
CONDITION: Please see my large, clear, photos for a true picture of condition. The wagon has been refinished to look old with patina and completed with correct, original looking parts. I believe the hood ornament is plastic when it would have been metal originally, but it matches the original perfectly. All other parts are correct, original and metal. There are some small rust holes on the underside in the channels for the wires, but the wagon is very solid otherwise, please see photos. All 4 rubber wheels are in remarkably good condition for their age and are original. Wagon pulls easily and the wheels all roll nicely. Switch for the lights is tight and works great. What you see here is what you will get.
PAYMENT: Payment is by Paypal, but other forms of payment will be accepted, please inquire before purchase. Payment is due within 3 days of sale close.
SHIPPING: Please ignore the $1 shipping quote! Local pick up is encouraged - Item is near Los Angeles. I will ship this item, but it is large and heavy so shipping will not likely be cheap. Once it is packaged, weighed, and I know the destination I will be able to tell the winner how much shipping will cost. My guess is approx. $100 in the continental US but it could be more or less than that. I do NOT charge for handling, only actual costs for shipping/packaging.
Good luck and thanks for looking!
